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When Lengbeau was first founded some eight months ago, there was a specific feature we were particularly excited to do: to introduce to our readers what we believe are the twelve most iconic, important mechanical watch models from twelve different watch manufacturers, and hopefully in the process of doing so, quickly familiarise you with the quintessential timepieces and watch brands that you cannot afford to not know.

Started off as an idea in which we'd wish to produce a full-length coverage of each of the twelve pieces (in fact, we did manage to do one, for the Rolex Submariner), we quickly realised this might not be the most efficient way to go about this. As a result, we are coming back with this very feature to introduce all these legendary watches to you in two parts, so you could have a quick, good sense of what they are and what make them great. And at the end of this feature, you should be able to at least name ONE signature watch from the likes of Rolex, Audemars Piguet or Heuer.

​Ready? Let's meet the legends.

#1: The Rolex Submariner

What is it: You can read our full coverage of the Rolex Submariner here. Firstly introduced in 1953 to accommodate to the specific need of people who often found themselves in deep sea (e.g. professional divers, navy etc) featuring strong lumes, rotatable bezel to time one's ascend from one altitude to another and other practical features, the Rolex Submariner has become the most recognisable watch in the business.

What makes it great: Its utilitarian look, unmistakable features and its status as the most successful lineage of the most successful watch company on the planet makes it easily any watch lover's first wet dream. It's also extremely versatile and goes with literally anything. It's also extremely well endorsed by some of the biggest personalities in the world. Below are the Google Image search results if you type "Rolex Submariner Celebrities". Nuff said.

#2: The Omega "Speedy" Speedmaster Professional

An Omega Speedmaster Professional Ref.145.012 from 1967 (photo courtesy: Wikipedia)

What is it: If Rolex is the Coca-Cola in the watch world, Omega is the Pepsi. While the Rolex Submariner took over the world (and the sea), Omega's very own Speedmaster Professional is the almighty Sub's nemesis from outer space. Literally. A manually wound chronograph first introduced in 1957 intended for competitive racers' use (thus the stop-watch function for recording lap time), it was surprisingly made famous for its eventual association with the space.

What makes it great: The reliable chronograph was selected by NASA to be the watch of choice for the first American spacewalk in Gemini 4 mission, worn by none other than the legendary astronaut Ed White. Ever since, NASA has been exclusively collaborating with Omega who supplied more Speedmasters in the missions to come. Oh, that little mission of moon landing? Yes, Neil Armstrong's Speedmaster was right there with him too (as seen on his right wrist in the picture below). Tell me that wasn't cool.

#3: The Patek Philippe Calatrava

What is it: Patek Philippe, as we know it, really is the King of Watch (that also has made more exclusive watches to real emperors around the world than we care to count and here is one such story). And the Calatrava is a long-running, so-called "entry level" dress watch collection from Patek which dates all the way back to 1932 with the Ref. 96, a 31-mm manually wound, time-only dress watch featuring sleek lines in tasteful simplicity. Ever since, the Calatrava has become synonymous with such ideas as elegance, formality, reservedness, timelessness etc. Yes, much has changed for the Calatravas since their 31-mm days, but it remains THE Patek Philippe to have, at least for average folks like us. I mean, not everyone is a king, nor Eric Clapton.

What makes it great: Firstly, it's a Patek. Secondly, it is handsome and classy as fxxx. Thirdly, this is something you'd want to pass to your son/ daughter the day they get married as you gracefully take this off your wrist. Just take a moment to imagine that scene. Just try.

#4: The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak

A modern Royal Oak Ref. 15202 (photo courtesy: Watches and Art)

What is it: In case you don't know, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin are collectively known as the "Swiss Trinity" in the horology universe. They are equally storied, have great heritage and known for producing the best of the best watches in the world. While Patek has its Calatrava, Audemars Piguet has Royal Oak, the undisputed flag-bearing model that created a whole new genre with its inception - the luxury sport watch. Designed by the talented watch designer Gerald Genta and first introduced in 1972, the Royal Oak was the biggest gamble of Audemars Piguet that could have made and broken the brand in a time when traditional Swiss watchmakers were slaughtered by the cheap, accurate quartz watches from Japan. In urgent need of a blockbuster new watch model to save the franchise from going bust, Audemars Piguet came up with the Royal Oak, an unprecedented watch by all measure, with its octagonal bezel, integrated lugs and exposed screws all being absolutely unheard of in the industry up til 1972. Priced at ten times what a Rolex Sub would have costed back then, the audacious attempt from Audemars Piguet was initially not well received, followed by a massive turnaround as people began to react positively this quirky looking but expertly finished luxurious sport watch. And the rest really is history.

What makes it great: 100% unique design language that appeal strongly to young adults who want to own a piece of "Swiss Trinity" without having to resort to a Patek which might come across as a little too formal or staid. While positioned as a luxury sport watch, it feels even more at home under a suit in our opinions due to its rather thin construction. For the sportier of you, do check out the Royal Oak Offshore collection which retains everything that defines a Royal Oak while adding practical configurations that can certainly get the job done in active settings.

#5: The A.Lange & Söhne Lange 1

The A.Lange Lange 1 in platinum, Ref. 101.025

What is it: If you have been following Lengbeau for a while now, A.Lange & Söhne should not sound foreign to you. The best German watchmaker out there, and undoubtedly one of the best watchmakers worldwide, A.Lange has had its fair share of stories and ups & downs to tell. To explain it simply, after a long hiatus for the better part of the last century due to warfare, the original family behind A.Lange managed to relaunch the brand in 1994, bringing with them four key collections that laid the foundation of the modern A.Lange as we know it. The Lange 1 was one of the four and arguably the most iconic of them all. Featuring an off-centered watch face and second disc, you could recognize a Lange 1 from distance with ease. The outsize date window on the upper right is decidedly German coupled with a power reserve indicator to its right which is yet another useful function for the wearer. Ever since its introduction in the 90s, the watch has received numerous accolades with its latest being Watch of the Year 2013.

​What makes it great: This is a very honest watch through and through. Innovative design and dial arrangement executed in exactly the way you'd expect a German to: precise and unforgiving. Usually cased in precious metals, the Lange 1 is a hefty piece that gives the wearer that bit of an extra assurance and sense of security. And ITS MOVEMENT. Do you know how famous A.Lange is known for its manual finishing? If not, just take a look at below.

Caseback of the latest Lange 1 Moonphase Lumen featuring top of the line finishing

#6: The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso

What is it: The only square watch breaking into our list that's as worthy as any of its rounded peers. The Reverso, firstly introduced in 1931, has been, is, and will likely continue to be the most important collection of watchmaking powerhouse Jaeger-LeCoultre in the years to come. As you might be able to tell from its name, the Reverso is capable of being reversed. Why? Back in the days when India was under British rule, polo was a sport that British army officers frequented. But there's a problem: it was very easy for a polo player to have his watch face scratched or even broken in a competitive polo match. So via a couple of connections, LeCoultre (which later became Jaeger-LeCoultre) was commissioned to create a watch that is so robust that it can withstand the intensity of a polo match. With that quest in mind, LeCoultre came up with a genius solution: a watch that could have its face be flipped, or reversed on demand so it could avoid contacts altogether. And that's how the Reverso was born. Probably no longer seen as an essential piece of equipment to polo players nowadays, the inherently classy look of a Reverso means it has no trouble finding its way to the wrists of ladies and gentlemen who like something a bit more special and, if I'm being completely honest, something to play around with. I could personally testify that the flipping part is absolutely addictive.

What makes it great: It flips. It's classy looking. It has an even longer history than the Patek Calatrava. It comes in any sort of variety you could imagine (duo face, GMT, tourbillon, minute repeater, and more) and last but not least: it flips.

Thanks for the comment DOUBLE U 3. That was indeed a very legitimate one. We have chosen the Calatrava purely because we believe the dressier watches are what laid the foundation for Patek's success. Of course the Nautilus is also an amazing sport watch in its own right but for the sake of diversity, we have restrained from choosing more than one watch family from each brand. It's a hard decision, but we feel the Calatrava is the more iconic choice.